Meeting Abstract
The spectacled caiman is a small, widespread crocodilian found in Central and South America. Due to escapes from the pet trade and niches opened by overhunting of natural competitors, this species has expanded its range in South America and can now be found in Southern Florida and Cuba. While this is a very adaptable and widespread species, previous studies and personal observations indicate that the spectacled caiman cannot survive the cold winters of temperate areas and therefore poses a minimal threat of invasiveness to other parts of North America. However, with continuously warming climates, this may not always prove true. Here, we characterize the spectacled caiman’s thermal physiology by measuring innate immune response, establishing resting metabolic rate, sprint speed, and swim speed over a range of ecologically-relevant temperatures as well as the temperature sensitivity (Q10) of these measures. By better understanding the physiology of this crocodilian, we can make more informed conservation decisions regarding potential invasiveness and management of this species.
